Low (<15) watt valve guitar amps a-c d-j k-z  updated 27/2/2010  Guitar stores to visit before you die

"Which small or low watt guitar amp?" is a common question on many forums.  My valve amp journey started with a Crate Vintage 50 2 by 12 combo.  It was great amp - but it weighed a ton and I could never use its tone without bleeding ears.  My next amp was a tiny bit smaller, VHT Pittbull 45 single 12. Again a great amp and weighed a lot less than the Crate - but still way loud. I currently use an Orange Tiny Terror and a THD Univalve - which I love.  Sure 2 channels would be great and I am eyeing the Blackstar 5 Watt head...but I will still be short the clean headroom that only the Mesa Boogie Lone Star Special can give me.  Oh well .. here is a collection of small low power valve amps and links to Harmony Central reviews where I can find them for your enjoyment. These machines are perfectly suited for bedroom or recording studio application. For those wondering about low power amps - it is all about power valve saturation (not preamp valve).  When you hear it you will know it and you will want it all the time.... Of course for those wanting to keep their high power amps - you can achieve power valve saturation at more modest sound pressure levels using an Attenuators | Cabinet ohms Pedal Power Supplies | Pedal Boards | Pedal Board accessories |  Small travel amplifiers | Headphone amps | Travel guitars Guitarist Gift Guide | Guitar stores to visit before you die
Alessandro Beagle Cabinet Solid, hand rubbed oak with laminated oak front panel. Output 10 watts @ 8 or 16 ohms Preamp Tubes 2 x 6SL7 (all-octal) Power Tubes 2 x EL84 Reviews
Ampmaker AK01 - The SE-5a guitar amp kit Do it yourself  5W single-ended Class A amp, with Treble, Middle and Bass controls Reviews
Aston Electronics 5 Watt valve amp kit Reviews
Auble Systems System 110 System 110, - in its original form consisted of (1) 12AX7,(1) 12AU7,(2)6V6 tubes with a triode-pentode switch making 6 and 12 watts. Since then the front-end is used with many different power sections resulting in amps making anywhere from .9 to 30 watts. The simplicity of the design gives the amp a very versatile and dynamic characteristic. At the low end of the volume control the tone is very reminiscent of the 59 Bassman, and when cranked morphs into a very Marshall-like tone.
Audio Kitchen Little Chopper 7 Watt Based around an ECC81 and ECC83 in the preamp and EL84 power amp, the tones range from ultimate 'American' cleans, through classic British chime and grunt, all the way out the other side to Crazy-Horse style scuzz. Controls on the front panel are Gain, Bass, Middle, Top, Stack, Power
Bad Cat MINI II : 5 WATT 1 Channel, 1 Input : 12" Speaker The only thing small about this powerhouse 5 watt amp is its size. You won’t believe your ears when you hear this baby cat roar. Ideal for low-volume studio recording, the Mini II is a Class A, point-to-point wired, tube powered brute. Experience the sweet tone of a dual overdriven 12AX7 pre-amp section and a single EL-84 power tube in your bedroom without disturbing your neighbors. Also features Line Out, Volume, Interactive Bass, Treble and Master Controls. 4, 8, 16 Ohm Selector. Reviews
Big White Monkey The Chimp. Single ended Class A 5 watt amp, switchable to 2 watts
Black Heart Killer Ant <1 Watt RMS, Single-Ended, Class A Solid State Rectifier Volume (the rest of the tone is in your hands) Reviews   The Black Heart Little Giant is  5 watt version.
Blackstar HT5 Innovative 5 Watt valve amplifier • 1xECC83 and 1x12BH7 valves • Unique push pull power amp design • Award winning HT Pedal preamp • Two footswitchable channels • 10˝ Celestion speaker Reviews
Blankenship Amps Fatboy Speaker: 1x12" Power: selectable to 10, 15, 18 or 25 watts Tube Complement: Two 12Ax7, Two 6V6 and 6L6 sets, One 5AR4 or 5Y3 rectifier Controls: Volume, Volume, Tone, On/Off, Standby Cabinet Coverings: Aged Lacquered Tweed (standard), Rough Blonde Tolex, Red or Purple Levant
Blues Land BabyBlues starting at $650 - a 3 to 8 watt 9 (depending on the power tube used) single ended amp that is similar to a tweed champ on steroids with a couple of other features and tweaks. BluesKing starting at $800 - a 13 watt amp that is similar to a tweed deluxe with a couple of other features and tweaks. Options; can come with a 50/60's (cathode to fixed bias) switch that switches the amp from that 50's squeezed class A (cathode bias) sound to a tighter, more Marshally sound like a 60's (fixed bias) Speakers; none, head only - 1x12 tweed or plexi-glas, 1x12, 2x12, 2x10. The pix are of two recently finished (Oct 2009) amps that are available with or without handles. The one on the right is currently loaded with a rare early 60's British Elac alnico 10 inch speaker.. The one on the left is loaded with an early re-issue of a Jensen P10R alnico 10 inch speaker. BluesLand 1999 Catalog and pricelist
Bugera V5 Boutique-Style 5-Watt Class-A Valve Amplifier Combo with Reverb and Power Attenuator.
Bumbox Lead One Controls Gain - Treble - Middle - Bass - Master Volume Preamp - 2 - 12ax7's Power section - 1 - 6n1p Output power 1w max, 1/2w clean Dimensions 15.5" x 7" x 7", 10lbs. Reviews
Byers Model 10 Classis tweed tone with greater range. Warm and clean with plenty of headroom and switchable overdrive for classic tube distortion. Completely hand wired and assembled from only the finest components. No printed circuit boards. Treble - Bass - Volume - Tone control circuit out switch and Overdrive controls. Hi - Low dual inputs. 10" Weber speaker. 5 watts RMS clean output with 10 watts max signal output. Properly wired heaters and shielded inputs create virtually hum free operation. 6v6GT - 12AX7 tubes. 4 ohm output impendence from Mercury Magnetic output transformers.
Carr Mercury Class A Single-ended fixed bias EL-34 output stage Single channel: bass, treble, reverb 3-position boost switch Treble cut switch Built in 4 position attenuator (8, 2, 1/2, 1/10 watt) Reviews
Carvin Vintage 16 All tube design - three 12AX7 preamp(Groove Tubes V1) tubes, two EL84 output Groove Tubes™ power tubes - 1 Meg Passive tone controls for broad adjustment range. - Front controls: VOLUME, SOAK, BASS, MID, TREBLE and REVERB - Metal shaft controls, Ivory knobs, Red jewel lamp - Strong Poplar plywood enclosure covered in thick TWEED - GT12 speaker - Output: 16 watts / 5 Watts, Pentode / Triode into 8ohms - Single 8ohms speaker jack. - CH EQ: 60, 650, & 11.5K Hz. - Size: 16 inches wide x 8.5 inches deep x 17.75 inches high - Weight: 31 lbs. - 120V or 240V models - Made in San Diego, California Reviews
Clark Amplification Lil' Bit ltd™ Five watt / Ten Watt, Single ended Pure Class "A" circuitry, one twelve combo, chrome chassis. This amp features the chassis of a 5E3 with two separate input channels, (Bright and Normal) with a common tone control. Channels can be bridged for even more tonal options. The amp features the ability to operate with either a single or two 6V6's. You may also mix a 6V6 and a 6L6 for added tonal palette. Output wattage is easily selected by the use of one or two output tubes. * Tube compliment is one 5Y3GT, one or two 6V6 Tung Sol (RI), two 12AX7 Mullard. All NOS tubes available. * Jensen paper, copper foil, and oil coupling capacitors, Allen Bradley carbon composition resistors, Sprague electrolytics, CTS potentiometers, Carling switches, Switchcraft jacks, NOS tube sockets Mil Spec, Original solid 22g cloth covered wire. * Weber VST 12A125 12" speaker or Celestion G12H30 speaker.
Cornell Romany Output: A - 10 watts B - 2 watts C - ¼ watt Valve Complement: ECC83 (x1) 6L6GT (x1) Reviews
Cornford Harlequin 6 Watts. Class A. 2 x 12AX7 Valves (preamp), 1x EL84 (output stage), 12 inch Celestion Vintage 30 Speaker, 2 x inputs (hi and lo), Volume, which simultaneously controls first and second gain stages (tandem pot), Treble, Master Volume and voice switch which alters the frequency range over which the tone controls operate Reviews
Crate V5 V5 Class A combo features a single EL84 output tube producing 5 watts through a single 10" speaker 1 EL84 Tube Reviews
Cuba St The Radiotone The Cuba Street Amplifier Company, New Zealand The Radiotone is a pocket battleship! 5 watts of class A pure valve tone through a grunty little Weber 8" speaker. Or run it as a head into your favourite speaker cabinet . . . growls like a mad thing! P2P hand-wired, fingerjointed cabinet, two-tone tolex covering. Made in Aotearoa, New Zealand Reviews
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